REVELATION: An Overview Part Five

   So far we have covered the seals, the trumpets, and the vials, all ending with the return of our Lord and His last judgment upon the men of earth and we concluded with chapter sixteen. If we were to jump ahead chronologically we would be at chapter 19 and verse 11 where our Lord returns, but there is more information for those who have wisdom, ears to hear, etc. In chapters 17 and 18 we will learn, in a general way, a little bit more about the beast, the Great Harlot that rides the beast, and the distress of men.

Chapter 17

The Great Whore

    Admittedly this is a troublesome chapter to put into summary form. It is not because the content is so hard to grasp but, rather, because there is so much that could be said, but, for lack of space cannot. I will attempt, however, to take my detailed study and reduce it down to an accurate, but easily digestible form.

   We begin with verses 1, 2 where we find an invitation to view God’s judgment of the “Great Whore”. Just a few things we can note about this Harlot:

·       She “sits upon many waters”- this is a world-wide system (not a person).

·       Her associations have been kings of the earth, worldly powers with whom she has fornicated. This is for mutual power and economic gain and as one might tell from the text, with disregard for true honor and righteousness.

·       She is arrayed in beautiful garments and jewels but inwardly she is full of abominations. Her appearance is pretense so while she appears to be holy she is anything but!

·       Her name is written upon her forehead for all to see, “Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth”. Note: It is said that prostitutes in Rome wore headbands with their names written upon them as a sign of their trade.

·       She was drunk with the blood of martyrs and saints. This is a religious system that has been murderous towards the true saints of God, it has behaved irrationally, controlled by lust for power and control.

   This is a religious system that began in the Garden of Paradise when Satan seduced to the first couple to desire to be “gods” and it was seen in Cain’s false worship practices. It is seen in the false religion of Nimrod and those of his day and the worship of Semiramis and her son Tammuz. That same false religion spread to Babylon and every culture of the Old Testament has some form of that false religion. It can be seen in various forms the Apostle Paul addressed in his letters to the churches. It can be seen in the letters to the seven churches in the Revelation.  It can be found in the state religion of Constantine when he mixed Christianity with the Babylonian cultic practices and it can be found throughout the dark ages and in the deaths of Christian martyrs throughout the world. This false religious system is alive and well today and even though it is embraced by those who have neglected historical truth, it is as dangerous today as ever! Keep in mind that false religions have always demanded true believers accept their gods and recant of their faith in the True God, Jesus Christ! And even, this religious system will have a pretense of worshipping Christ, but in the end will hear His words, “Depart from me…I never knew you”!

 

The Beast

Verse 3 says, “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”

   The woman is seen as sitting upon the beast that carries her and supports her but at the same time, she dominates him and controls him. The beast is scarlet colored, the color of blood, and full of names of blasphemy. These blasphemies cover the beast and are not only for self-exaltation but for indictments against true believers as well. So, while the Whore seems to be religious in character the beast is political in character, but using religion for his own ends. Let’s notice some more about the beast:

·       He is empowered by Satan (v.8)

·       He is out of the bottomless pit

·       He has seven heads and ten horns

 

   Let’s look at the text of verse 8: “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Here we find that the Beast “was, and is not, and yet is”. Makes us scratch our heads, right? Not really! The text goes on and explains to us that the seven heads are “seven mountains” (v.9) upon which the woman sits. There may be a double meaning here as most authorities remind us that Rome is the “city of seven hills” (see v.18) but there has to be more to it than that because there are seven kings as well “And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.” (v.10) So now we have learned that the Beast “was, and is not, and yet is” and there are seven kings, five of which have fallen, one that is, and one to come for a short time. So the Beast and these kings are related. But now, in verse 11 we learn something new, “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” Now we learn, before we get to the “ten horns” that there will be an eighth power!

 

What Does This Mean?

 

   Well, let me see if I can shed at least a little light on this subject. The Whore is a religious system that is in bed, so to speak, with the political systems of the world. There has always been false religion and there has always been bad politics and governance. That’s the way Satan likes it! Throughout history there have been a number of empires and I will list them again: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. These total six. At the time of the writing of the Revelation FIVE HAD FALLEN AND ONE “IS”. Rome was in power at the time of the writing of the Revelation but we know that Rome disintegrated from within and books have been written about Rome’s fall. But there will be a revived Roman Empire, the “one that is not yet come”. Though we can see elements of this revived Roman Empire coming together even in our time, at the beginning of the Seventieth Week of Daniel, also called the Tribulation, the revived Roman Empire, led by the Anti-Christ will be in power but will only last a short while. But wait! What about the Eighth? Well as we can see there will be a turning point about the middle of the Tribulation Period when the Anti-Christ will turn against the false religion that has supported him and many of the powers that helped him and will set up the Eighth and Final Empire, which will be very short lived. So, the Empires known to the world are again: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Med0-Persia, Greece, Rome, the Revived Roman Empire and the Empire of Anti-Christ.

                                                                               

 

      
                              

The Ten Horns

 

   The ten horns are explained to be ten kings (v.12) These ten kings are not manifested today for sure but will be when the Tribulation period begins. These ten kings are a part of the revived Roman Empire that launches the “Man of Sin” to power and will eventually end up making war with the Lamb (v.14) and will be destroyed at Armageddon; but first they will hate the “Whore” and destroy her. Again, we don't know for sure who these kings and nations will be but they will most likely be made up of those within the Roman Empire of Bible days. From these, one will emerge who will be prominent above all and will be the anti-Christ.

The religious Babylon will enjoy great power during the first half of Daniel’s 70^th week but when the covenant of Daniel 9:27 is broken (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) she will be hated by both the Beast and the kings. You may want to look at Daniel 11:36-39 for a parallel passage.

 

Chapter 18

 

   In the last chapter we saw Mystery Babylon in its ecclesiastical sense but in this chapter we will also see it in its political, economic, commercial aspects. Ecclesiastical Babylon is destroyed by satanic controlled forces, as decreed by Sovereign God, but the political and commercial aspect of Mystery Babylon is destroyed directly by the Lord.

   Verses 1-10 will still refer to Ecclesiastical Babylon, whom the Beast and the kings will turn against, remembering that this is a judgment of God and that it takes place somewhere around the time the anti-Christ proclaims himself to be God (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

 

   Verses 11-19 give us a picture of human lament over the loss of commercial enterprise. All sorts of commercial entities are affected and the economic loss will be severe. Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ” (Matthew 6:19-21)

 

Heaven Rejoices and Final Doom Announced

 

   Verses 20-24 shift us to Heaven where the Holy Apostles and saints rejoice because their blood is avenged by the Lord. So while the earthlings lament the loss of Babylon all of Heaven rejoices! The answer to the question, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10) has come and it has come with great celebration!

   Now on earth there is no more singing or music, no more craft, no more light, and no more frolicking. The merchants of the earth and those considered “great men” are judged because of their “sorceries” (drugs, potions, and spells) which deceived the nations. Not only will Big Pharma be judged, but all who entice in evil ways to make themselves rich!

                                                                 

 

Note:

The next chapter and the chapters that follow will be of much more positive note. So far I have attempted to be slightly vague in exactly who I believe the Whore to be but just ask yourself, what has been the dominant ecclesiastical power for the last several centuries and you can most likely come to a pretty good conclusion yourself. Some today believe that the Muslims will be the Beast, but they just don't fit the description and even though they will probably be included in the false religious ecumenism of the day, I can't imagine them being cooperative with the rebuilding of the Temple, etc.

   

THE REVELATION: An Overview Part Four

Chapter 14

   In chapter 14 we still are part of the parentheses that began in chapter 12. Every time we have one of these parentheses it is for added information regarding either events on earth or events in heaven. It’s a “time out” from the progressing 70^th Week of Daniel for a closer look at the events as they have unfolded. In chapters 12 and 13 we got a brief look at the characters included. I should mention once more, for repetition purposes, that after chapter four the Revelation becomes especially Jewish in character. The Church has been translated to Heaven, and the 70^th week of Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 Weeks is resumed. So the individuals who are seen as the martyrs coming out of the tribulation period are mostly Jews though other peoples are mentioned as well.

   We begin our journey, still in the parenthesis, with a view of the Lamb standing on Mt. Zion with the 144,000 from chapter 7. John hears the Lord’s voice and the harpers and a new song, sung by the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth as the first-fruits “unto God and the Lamb” (v.4) , in fulfillment of the promises that all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:26). We also see a series of “angels”:

 

1. The Angel with the Everlasting Gospel- this is

    the gospel that would be preached to every nation,

    kindred, tongue, and people.

2. The Angel with the Announcement About the

    Fall of Babylon- (v.8) Some believe the actual 

    city of Babylon will be rebuilt. Others believe this 

    is a reference to Rome. It’s more likely that it’s a 

    reference to the world apostasy and the 

    worldliness that forsakes God.

3. The Angel with the Warning Regarding the Mark of the Beast- Herein is the

    final verdict on those who receive the mark; they have made their choice and are
    doomed. The text says they will drink of the wine “of the wrath of God” (v.10)
    and there is no turning back, no repentance. True believes will be revealed.

 The Voice

   Again, the voice sounds with a message of hope to the faithful. Many will die for the Lord but it will not be in vain (v.13)

The Vision

   In Verses 14-20 the vision given to John, picturing the Son of Man (Our Lord) and His sickle is found. Several angels are in attendance to Him as the time has come “to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.” (v.18) The Winepress is of the wrath of God (v.20) Here then is a vision of Armageddon. More details will follow.

 Chapter 15

    This chapter is a prelude to the Vials of God’s wrath and we find another “sign” which follows those of Chapter 12:1,2. These three “signs” give us three elements of the prophetic picture: 1. The woman (Israel); 2. The Dragon (the Devil and the world system under him including the Beasts); 3. God’s judgment upon the entire world. These are called the last plagues and they bring the judgments of God to a conclusion for the 70 weeks of Daniel’s prophecy.

The Sea of Glass

  Here we find the saints that have been victorious over the Beast standing on this sea of glass before the throne of God. They sing the Song of Moses and a Song of the Lamb, praising God who is Just and True.

The Seven Angels

   Now John sees seven angels, clothed in pure white and girded with golden girdles who are given seven golden vials by the Four Living Creatures. The text tells us he Temple (the Heavenly Temple?) was filled with smoke from the Glory of God and that no one was allowed to enter until the plagues were fulfilled.

 Chapter 16

  Now begins the last of God’s judgments for this seven year period. They are called vials or bowls. The KJB text reads, “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” (v.1) The same things were affected under the trumpets.

     

           

1. The First Vial- It brings “noisome and grievous sores” upon those who took the   

    mark of the Beast and who worshipped his image. Scholars tell us these are
    malignant ulcers which cause pain and death. Remember, we are not now
    dealing with the wrath of the Beast, but the wrath of God. It is well into the last
    3 ½ years of the tribulation. Men have chosen whom they will serve.

2. The Second Vial- this vial is emptied on the sea and causes everything in the

     sea to die. You may remember that with the trumpet judgments only 1/3 of the
    sea was affected. Here all of it is. This probably affects all salt water bodies.

3. The Third Vial- this like the trumpet judgment affects fresh water supplies

    including rivers, springs, wells, etc. They are turned to blood. Remember these
     judgments are upon the vilest of human beings who hate the Lord Jesus and
    have spilled the blood of the saints. They are reaping what they have sown! (vs.
    5.-7)

4. The Fourth Vial- The fourth vial affects the sun. Scientifically how this is

    accomplished I don’t know. It could be that God makes the sun to burn hotter or
    perhaps he slows the earth’s rotation a bit. God can do what He wants to do. In
    any case, men are scorched because of the heat of the sun. Again, though the
    text does not say so here, these judgments are on those who worship the beast.
     We are sure that God somehow protects believers.

5. The Fifth Vial- this vial is aimed directly at the “seat of the beast”, the throne of

    his power and all of his kingdom will suffer. Darkness is over the land and, as
    you may have experienced yourself, darkness tends to make everything more
     painful and so the accumulation of afflictions will seem multiplied as God’s
     wrath is felt. Yet there is still no repentance from any of these.

6. The Sixth Vial- the sixth vial is upon the Euphrates which is dried up for the

    kings of the east to cross over. This will be an oriental army, 200 million
    strong, with their vehicles and weapons of war. Under the sixth trumpet 1/3 of
     men died. The Euphrates was the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire as
     well as the eastern boundary of the land God promised Abraham. It also is a
     natural obstacle for the armies of the east until it is dried up.

 

Evil Spirits vs. the Word of God

    “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (16:13, 14) Keep in mind that these are pure evil and everything they say and do is a lie. Some suppose that they convince the armies of the world to gather for some reason other than to war against the Lord but that is, in fact, why they gather. But Christ gives the warning: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (vs.15, 16) Really, this is a warning that should be heeded now, while it is called “Today”.

7. The Seventh Vial- The angel pours his vial out “into the air” and all of mankind is affected. Everyone breathes air and no one will escape this judgment. When Jesus Christ died on the cross He cried out “It is finished!” and the judgment of sin for all believers was done. Now, this cry, “it is done” signifies that the judgments of the wrath of God upon the kingdoms of this world and this world system, is concluded as well for this age.

         As with the seventh seal, and the seventh trumpet, there are voices, thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. This earthquake is so great that the city (Jerusalem?) is divided into three parts. We know that topographical changes will occur around the time of Christ’s return and we are chronologically at that time under this last vial.

       Another issue is the great hail stones that fall, each weighing about a talent (depending on who you might read it can be anywhere from 50-125 lbs.). Some think the weight of the talent to be insignificant saying that it just reveals the intensity of God’s judgment.

NOTE

   We have seen the seals which cover the entire seven years; the trumpets which start about the middle of the seven years, and the vials, which take place from within the second half and take place fairly rapidly. All of these end up at or near the time of Christ’s second coming. Since the vials come out of the 7^th Trumpet, things happen quickly and all of these judgments are upon the Beasts and the world system, we know the 144,000 are protected and we assume the same for all believers during this time.

   Another thing I want to add here is that, contrary to what the series, "Left Behind" concludes, the Bible tells us that those who refuse the Lord, and who are willing to believe a lie, will be deluded by the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:11,12) and will not suddenly seek the Lord. Perhaps if they live through the first 31/2 years and come under the preaching of the 144,000 they will repent but the text seems to indicate otherwise. Why do I say this? Because this is NOT the time to put salvation on back burner! Today is the day of Salvation! If you do not seek the Lord today, you will not seek Him when the Rapture of the Church happens.

  If we were to jump ahead chronologically we would go to 19:11 but the Holy Spirit wants to fill us in on more details. See you then!

 

 

THE REVELATION: An Overview Part Three

   We left off at the end of chapter 1l. In that chapter we saw that John was given a reed with which he was to measure the Temple, the altar, and the people but that he was not to measure the court of the gentiles. We also saw the two witnesses who will testify of Jesus the Messiah who the Anti-Christ will murder and leave lying in the streets of Jerusalem but whom the Lord will bring back to life and bring to Heaven. Then there was an earthquake, the result of the second woe.

Chapter 12

Chapters 12 -14 are parenthetical as well but cover a greater time span than just what is happening on earth during the tribulation period, though the tribulation period is included. In fact, as we shall see, we are going back in History a very long way. There are several personages that are pictured here, and through which this history is reviewed. We begin with:

1. The Woman- A “great wonder” (sign) appeared to John as a woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” (v.1) This is reminiscent of Genesis 37:9 which says, “And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.” As spoken by Joseph to his brothers. The reference here is clearly to the family of Joseph, Israel. The woman is Israel, who will deliver the child (v.2).

 

 

2. The Dragon- This is another wonder (sign) that appears and this Dragon has seven heads and ten horns. He also has 7 crowns upon his 7 heads. He is said to have brought a third part of heaven to earth and he is in pursuit of the woman. In verse 9 we find a further description as this Dragon is also known as “that old serpent”, the Devil, and Satan who deceives the world and who was cast to earth out of heaven along with his “angels”. These are fallen angels, of course.

                                                                                                   

NOTE

   We will see this reference to Seven Heads, Seven Crowns, and Ten Horns come up several times in the next couple of chapters. Here 12: 3 referring to Satan, the Dragon; in 13:1 referring to the Beast that rises up out of the sea; in 17:3,7,9 referring to Mystery Babylon. I don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but most of these seven heads with seven crowns refer to the historical empires: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Revived Roman Empire which will be represented by the 10 horns. We’ll, hopefully, get into this in more detail as we move through the chapters.

 

3. The Child- It’s not difficult to identify this man-child as the text says, “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (v.5) But then suddenly we’re jolted forward in the vicinity of two thousand years, the seventieth week of Daniel and the woman (Israel) flees to a place of protection by God for 1260 days, or the last half of the tribulation period. The child will yet rule with a rod of iron but first things first!

4. Michael- This is Michael the Arch-angel who is the overseer of Israel (Daniel 12:1) There is war between Michael and the Heavenly angels and Satan and his fallen angels and this explains how Satan and his angels were cast to earth. Verses 10-12 inform us that this event occurs in the middle of the tribulation period. The “accuser of our brethren” will have no more access to God at this point. You see, Satan was kicked out of Heaven long ago, along with his demon legions, but he still had access to God for the purpose of accusing the brethren but his time for that is finished at this point. You see, those who take the mark of the beast (13:16) are clearly manifest but so are those who have refused the mark of the beast. The Lord knows those who are His! At this juncture there will be no more accusations made; no charges brought! Verses 10-12 also shout the warning of Satan’s wrath!

 

Satan’s Persecution of Israel

 

12:13-17 tell us that since Satan only has 3 ½ years to continue his murder and mayhem he pursues Israel out of sheer madness! She flees and is protected and nourished by God for the 3 ½ years and though Satan attempts annihilation of Israel his plan is thwarted by God which angers him even more! He sets out to make further war with the “remnant”.

 

Chapter 13

The First Beast

   This chapter introduces us to two of the central figures of the Revelation; they are the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet. They are both called beasts but are distinguished from one another by the words “another” and “first” (vs.11,12)

The First Beast- Verses 1-10 tell us a few things about this Beast:

·       He is seen as coming out of the sea. This could be either the Mediterranean area or it could mean the sea of people. In either case it distinguishes him from the 2^nd beast. (v.10

·       He is pictured as having seven heads, ten horns (powers), and ten crowns. Notice the difference in the number of crowns from the description of the Dragon. (v.1)

·       The likeness of a leopard, the feet of a bear, the mouth of a lion, and his power by the Dragon remind us of Daniel’s prophecy of Daniel 7 where they are representative of Babylon (the lion), Persia (the Bear) and Greece (the Leopard) so the beast will incorporate elements of these empires with the added feature that he receives his power from Satan, the Dragon. (v.2)

·                 One of his heads was wounded. Without going into great detail I will only       

           say that this probably refers to Rome as the last of the great empires. Rome  
           was not destroyed from without, but from within, yet elements of the
           Roman Empire still exist today, even in our American political system. But
           the Roman Empire will be revived in the last days so the wound was not
           fatal.

             People will worship the Dragon and the Beast for forty-two months, the

           last 3 ½ years. The Beast will speak great blasphemies against God and
           pollute the Temple. He will make war with the saints. Remember, this is
           after the sealing of 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the evangelizing of the
           remnant of Israel from the middle of the 70^th week of Daniel to some point
           during that last three and a half years. Daniel speaks of the abomination that
           makes desolate and our Lord mentions it as well in Matthew 24:15. The

              Apostle Paul writes of him, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all

           that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the
           temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

·       All of the lost will worship him! “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8) Here is the first of two references to people names NOT being in the Lamb’s Book of Life. In 17:8 we will find that their names never were written in the Book of Life.

 

The Seven Heads Revisited

 

Some see the seven heads as Rome because in 17:9 where the Scripture says, “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” Since Rome is known as the city of seven hills many believe the Whore as Rome. BUT, verse 10 says, “And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.” So while there may be a double meaning here, it is the Revived Roman Empire we are speaking of here. At the time of John’s writing there had been five Empires: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. Rome was the Empire in John’s day, the writing of the Revelation. That makes six and the seventh is yet to come and after that the eighth, as we shall learn later. In the Revived Roman Empire, which is to come, there will be ten horns (powers) from which one will rise to become the anti-Christ personified. But the heads themselves are these Empires.

 

The Second Beast

 

   The second beast, called “another”(another of the same kind), comes out of the earth. He is often called the “False Prophet” because he exalts the first beast. I don’t believe we can define exactly what “out of the earth” means as opposed to “out of the sea” for the first Beast. One might guess that he comes from a place in the Mediterranean area. Some actually believe he is Jewish which is plausible but it could be he is someone who is a “friend” to the Jews.

·       He is like a lamb but speaks as a dragon. Satan is the source of his speech.

·       As the Holy Spirit exalts Jesus Christ, this False Prophet exalts the anti-Christ causing people to worship the first beast.

·       He works great wonders and miracles. These are similar to those of the two witnesses and are meant to deceive.

·       He orders an image be made of the 1^st beast and causes the image to speak.

·       He orders that any who will not worship the beast should be killed. He forces men to receive a mark in their right hand or forehead symbolizing the beast and by which they can buy and sell. The mark is “the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (13:17) The number is 666.

 

The Number

   There has been a lot of guessing over the centuries as to whom the Beast is and exactly what the numbers means and I’m not sure we have a satisfying answer. I believe that since the number 7 is God’s number of completion and perfection, the number 6 is mans number and comes short of completion or perfection. Just as the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) would have the number 777 so the impostors (Satan, Anti-Christ, and False Prophet) would have the number 666.

 

   No doubt there will be human personages related to these two beasts, it seems likely that we are talking about this world’s system in both Socio/economic terms and Religious terms, though there is most certainly an overlap with them. During the Tribulation period, especially the last 3 ½ years, 42 months, 1260 days, there will be a clear division between believers and non-believers. Non-believers will accept the mark of the beast and the saved will already been sealed by God. But among the worldlings there will still be plenty of “religious” people. They will be fooled by the two beasts and will worship the first beast.

 

NOTE

 

   It is my opinion that there is a sort of preliminary worship of the beast going on even in the time in which we live. We can see the divide in our country as we breathe. Some are born again believers who seek after God and some are determined to be anything but. Other’s are in the middle, playing with their religion. The world is collapsing economically with superficial fixes and morality has degraded. We are ripe for the appearance of the beast and the only thing holding his appearance back is the Holy Spirit. The Church is indwelt by the Spirit of God and when the Church is translated from earth to Heaven, the Holy Spirit, in His present ministry, will be caught up as well. Who is the Anti-Christ? Well I don’t know who the human personage is, or will be, but it’s clear that the Beast is the Revived Roman Empire and that the “little horn” of Daniel’s prophecy, the Anti-Christ, will most likely come from one of the 10 horns or powers under the Revived Roman Empire.

 

Keep watch for Part Four…

 

 

 

 

THE REVELATION: An Overview Part Two

     We left off with covering chapter seven and now we continue. In chapter eight we will find that the seventh seal opens the seven trumpets. As I said in the first part of our study the seals, trumpets and vials are not consecutive as the trumpets are the seventh seal. Chapter eight records four of these trumpets.

   First though we are told that when he (the Lamb) opened the seventh seal there was silence in Heaven for a time (v.1), probably denoting a major event, then we read that seven angels were given trumpets (v.2) and yet another angel attending an altar with incense representing the prayers of God’s people through the ages but especially those recorded in chapter six. This reminds us of the altar of incense that was part of the furnishings of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, just outside the veil. It signified the prayers of God’s people then as well and is representative of Jesus Christ as our High Priest through Whom all prayer must pass. Then we note the trumpets sound.

The First Trumpet- this judgment destroys 1/3 part of the trees and grasses. Of course when vegetation is destroyed the entire atmosphere is affected so oxygen levels would be stressed.

The Second Trumpet- here 1/3 of sea life is destroyed, including ships that are in the sea. This is caused by a “great mountain”, a burning mountain, which was cast into the sea. The text tells us the sea became blood!

The Third Trumpet- A great star fell from Heaven and affect 1/3 of inland waters which, of course will affect drinking water as well and men will die from drinking it. One can imagine that bathing and anything done with water is affected as well.

The Fourth Trumpet- Here the first and second Heavens are affected as 1/3 of the light is reduced so that darkness is upon the land, probably representative of the spiritual darkness already on earth. Who knows exactly how this will actually happen? But the effect is that the light of day will be reduced to a third.

   The chapter ends with an angel pronouncing more woes to follow as the remainder of the trumpets have yet to sound.

Chapter Nine

The Fifth Trumpet- This covers 11 verses and begins with another angel blowing another trumpet and another star falling (fallen) from Heaven. The Third Trumpet included a star as well and that one seems to be a literal heavenly body while this star has a personality. I won’t get into the theories of who this star might be except to say that the ideas range from him being an angel of God all the way to being Satan himself. You, the reader, can search that out for yourself. The important thing is that he, the star, is given the key to the bottomless pit which tells us he did not have it before.  As he opens the pit smoke arises to the point of hindering what light is left. Verses 3-10 give us the description of some kind of beings that arise out of the pit. The description is difficult to digest and is probably highly symbolic though we would never want to go so far as to say the description is not literal in any sense. I have read lots of opinions about these beings but the most we can be sure of is that they are demonic, to say the least and that they were kept in the abyss for a long time. They are not allowed to harm the plant life, quite unlike actual locusts, and are only allowed to harm, not kill “only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” (v.4) This torment will last five months.

                                                            

   We also learn from verse 11 that they have a general over them whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon, both meaning “destruction”. Now there remain two more judgments in the Trumpets.

NOTE

   One might ask at this point, why would Satan harm those who have rejected and rebelled against God and two things stand out to me: First, Satan is hateful towards all men; He is evil to the core and only fools follow him; Second, and more importantly remember that we are now in the Great Tribulation which is characterized by the judgments of God…not Satan.. and not the Anti-Christ.

The Sixth Trumpet- As the sixth trumpet is sounded we are told that four angels who have been bound in the Euphrates are unleashed. This allows for an army of 200 million from the east with their kings (Rev.16:12 the Sixth Vial). In Rev.16:12 we are told that the Euphrates was dried up to allow passage of the armies of the east.

   The remainder of the chapter is colorfully descriptive of this army and the warfare that will take place. I can imagine that it would have been difficult for John to describe what he saw in terms the readers of his day could relate to. No doubt he is describing modern warfare though. We also find in this passage that another 1/3 of mankind is killed which means the earth has been depopulated greatly by this time. Remember that under the Pale Horse and rider ¼ of the people were murdered by the Anti-Christ, then 1/3 by judgment and now another 1/3. There were others who died in rebellion against the Anti-Christ under the Red Horse and rider. The people of earth are reaping what they have sown yet, we are told they still will not repent! They made their choice and now they must suffer the consequences!

Chapter 10

   Chapter 10, and through 11:14 is another parentheses between the unfolding events of the Trumpets and leading into the Vials. This chapter is a little difficult to put into summary form but we see an angel descending to John. He is a very unique angel in his description. Some think this is Christ but it is more likely he is just a unique angel with a specific duty or message. He held a “little book”. This is not the same book of chapter five as it is not said to be have seals. When the angel descends he has one foot on land and one foot on the sea. He cries with a loud voice and John hears seven thunders but as John was about to write what he heard from the seven thunders a voice told him not to write them. So while much is revealed there are still some things which are secret with God.

As John ceases to write he hears the angel swear by “Him that liveth for ever and ever” (v.6) that there should be “time no longer” (no further waiting). Things progress quickly now as God keeps His word that He spoke through His prophets. Then John is told to eat the “little book” which was sweet to his mouth but bitter in his stomach. This may remind the reader of both Jeremiah and Ezekiel who were required to eat the word of God.  

Chapter 11

   This chapter, at least the first fourteen verses, is still parenthetical. In the first two verses we find that John is given a measuring rod. Most scholars tell us this is about 10’ long. And John is to measure the Temple, the Altar, and the worshippers.

We are not told why God wants these things measured but it is clear that there is some special reason for it and that it is distinct from the court of the Temple which is not to be measured and which “is given unto the Gentiles” for forty-two months which is equal to 3 ½ years.

   This is important because there is no Temple in the Holy City today so one will have to be erected, probably in the first 3 ½ years of Anti-Christ’s reign. The Temple that will be erected will most likely fall far short of the glory and beauty of Solomon’s Temple. The reference to the court is probably telling us that under the Man of Sin, the Beast, the Anti-Christ there will be an even greater ecumenical movement so that the lines of religion will be blurred even more than they are now. Of course we shall see that the Beast out of the sea will set himself up as God and he will sit in the Temple proclaiming such.

                                                                                                

 

The Two Witnesses

   Now we are introduced to the “Two Witnesses” who preach 1,260 days, again 3 ½ years. So with this we know that these two witnesses began their ministry about the same time as the 144,000 were sealed. The witnesses are protected by God so that no harm can come to them until their ministry be ended. They are given power to work miracles as authentication of their ministry. When their ministry is finished the Beast has them killed and their dead bodies will lie in the streets for 3 ½ days while the world celebrates and makes merry, even sending gifts to one another in celebration! But after the three and a half days they come back to life and are caught up to Heaven. Who are they? Well there are lots of ideas and we don’t really know. I am not venturing a guess but there are only two men in the history of the world who never died. One is Elijah and the other is Enoch (Gen.6). That does not mean that the two witnesses are they, it’s just an observation.

The Earthquake

   The Bibles says that at the same hour as the two witnesses were called up to Heaven a great earthquake hit the city of Jerusalem and seven thousand me perish in the quake. Fear overwhelms those left in the city, so much so, that they, being in awe of the power of God, “gave glory to the God of heaven”. (v.14) This should not be understood to mean that they repented of their sin but that they were forced to acknowledge the power of God!

The Seventh Trumpet- Here we once again reach the end of the Great Tribulation when God has the victory and “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” (v.15) so herein is included more information regarding wrath, judgment, resurrection, and reward.

    In Review, we saw that the Seven Seals covered the entire Seven years of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. The Seven Trumpets which came out of the Seventh Seal seem to refer to the last 31/2 years or the Great Tribulation. We will find that the Vials do likewise.

   From this point and over the next four chapters we will be filled in even further of the events on earth before we see the Seven Vials open up in Chapter 16. We will learn more about the Harlot and about the Beast and False Prophet. So with the next study, Part Three, we will get further into the personages revealed.